Estelle

6 | Cuts

The day is just as normal as any other. I haven't seen very many strange men like I did a day ago.

Or they are just suddenly better at hiding.

I'm at my desk shuffling through papers. A strand of hair falls out of my ponytail and I stick it behind my ear in frustration.

My breath is short and my heart is jumping. A sense of urgency is washing over my as I rummage through the papers.

I can't find it. It was just here.

The one thing keeping me sane. The only thing giving me a reason to look forward to the future.

It is gone.

I come out from under my desk after checking through the trash.

My the map of my garden is gone and I cannot find it.

I sit down in my chair with a huff and try to calm myself.

"Where did you put it last, Jane?" I whisper to myself as I rub my forehead and try to think.

Suddenly, a smash followed by a thump comes from Mr. Irey's office. I don't jump because I know exactly what happened.

My eyes look to the doors of his office but no movement or sound is made.

Mr. Irey has been on edge all day. I came in to find a broken vase and he has been unusually quiet.

I have been avoiding him, letting him blow off steam or giving him space.

However, this smash sounded worse than the others and I cannot help but worry.

I take a deep breath and approache the door before quietly sliding into the office.

In his bright office, Mr. Irey stands still with his fist in the glass display cabinet. He lets it stay there for a moment and I stay quiet until I see blood running along his arm.

"Mr. Irey."

He seems to stiffen and slowly pulls his arm out of the case but does not look at me. His back muscles are tense as he stands still.

The blood starts to drip to the hardwood floor making the only sound in the office. Calmly, I walk across the room to the cabinets by his desk that contains the first aid kit. My heels click slowly as I approach him after getting the first aid kit.

He still does not move and I notice how stiff his stance is.

I place my hand gently on his upper arm and try to turn him towards me. He remains rigid and stiff, not moving a muscle. I take in a silent breath, noticing the smell of pine and aftershave. His shirt is soft and smooth under my fingers. I pull his arm again.

Never have I made this much physical contact with Mr. Irey. It feels very weird for me to be touching him like this.

He turns towards me and towers over me but not threateningly. His eyes are on the ground and his face is pushed into a harsh scowl. It is not directed towards me but rather something in his mind.

"Mr. Irey." I speak softly to him.

His eyes snap to mine and his head lifts to look at me. His face relaxes and he seems to look a bit younger as he looks at me.

"Please follow me." I nod and wait for him to nod too.

His eyes are burning with intensity while the rest of his face is calm. Gray orbs observe me as I pull him towards the couch across the room. He follows but keeps his eyes on me.

I gesture for him to sit down and I place the first aid kit on the couch between us.

I pull out the gauze and reache for his arm to catch the blood running down it. He does not move to give me his arm and I look him in the eyes with one brow raised.